10 Ways Apple Improved Texting in IOS 26

iOS 26 is a new Liquid Glass redesign . While it’s mostly just a new coat of paint, it brings a ton of changes to the app’s layout, making it easier to navigate for Pro Max users . But along with those changes, the Messages app is getting new visual and functional updates for all iPhone users. The new layered design finally lets you set custom backgrounds for iMessage conversations, and you can now add polls to text messages or easily copy/paste text (all of which have been present in third-party messaging apps for a while now). But iOS 26 isn’t just about visual changes: Apple is also rolling out stricter parental controls and better spam filtering .

Filter spam texts

The Messages app has new automatic filtering folders. When you open the app, you’ll see a new Filter button in the top right corner. The default folders include one for unknown senders and one for spam.

This two-step system lets Apple choose how aggressively it handles suspicious text messages. Most messages and updates from unknown numbers end up in the Unknown Senders folder, but don’t worry—this doesn’t include one-time password messages, delivery receipts, or transaction messages. You can’t reply to messages here, but if Messages mistakenly filters a message, you can use the Mark as Known button to move it to your primary inbox.

The Spam folder has become even more private. You won’t receive notifications about messages that appear there, and any links in them will also be automatically muted. There’s no way to interact with or reply to messages here either, but like the Unknown Senders folder, you can move a spam message to your main inbox if needed. And when it comes to phone calls, improved spam filtering is now available in the Phone app .

Customize your message background

You can finally change the background of your iMessage conversations or group chats on a per-chat basis. Tap the name of the chat at the top of the page, then select Backgrounds . You’ll find presets like Water and Sky, but you can also choose a solid color if you prefer. You can also choose any photo from your library or, if you have a compatible phone, use Image Playground to generate an AI-powered image to use as your background.

Once you select a background, it will be displayed to everyone in the group chat or to another iMessage chat participant.

You can disable custom backgrounds in iMessage

Custom backgrounds are fun, but they may not be for everyone. If you don’t like the backgrounds of the group chats you’re in, you can turn off the feature entirely. Go to Settings > Apps > Messages and turn off Conversation Backgrounds .

Easily copy and paste text from messages

It’s been a long time coming. Now there’s an easy way to select the text you want from a really long message. No more pasting entire texts into the Notes app to extract something like an address. Now, to select just what you want, simply long-press on the message and then select the new Select option. This will open a new text selection mode. Use the text cursor to highlight the text you want and tap Copy.

Don’t let your kids send text messages to unknown numbers.

The anti-spam feature in the Messages app also extends to parental controls. If you use the Screen Time parental controls on your child’s iPhone, you now have the option to prevent them from sending messages to unknown numbers without your consent. If your child tries to send a message to an unknown number, you’ll get a notification about it, similar to when you try to buy an app. You can approve the request if it’s legitimate, such as your child messaging a new classmate.

Live translation

On devices with Apple Intelligence, the Messages app now supports a feature called Quick Translate. This means that two people can write in their native languages, but their messages will be translated in real time on the other end of the line. This allows me to chat with my Spanish friend in English, and have them respond to me in Spanish. To turn on Quick Translate, select a message and choose Quick Translate from the menu, then turn it on for the entire conversation or just for that message. In my experience, Quick Translate is fast and doesn’t slow down the conversation.

Live Translate currently supports Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified), French, German, Italian, English, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).

Polls come to Messages

It’s a small addition, but it can be very useful when you’re trying to make a decision in a large group. There’s a new option called Polls in the “+” menu of the Messages app. To use it, add multiple answer options (up to 12), write a message with the question or context, and send it. Everyone in the group (or even the iMessage chat) will be able to vote. Other group members can also add additional answer options to the poll.

I’m looking forward to some small changes in the Messages app.

Finally, here are a couple more small changes I’m looking forward to:

• The Messages app has a new typing indicator for people typing in a chat.

• Apple Cash is now supported in group chats, so you can transfer money without entering iMessage conversations.

• The Genmoji integration in the Messages app has been updated to support multiple Genmoji. You can now create a new Genmoji by combining two or more emoji. You can also edit them using a text description.

• Emoji Tapbacks are now available in CarPlay, so you can quickly respond to a message from your car screen without manually scrolling through the conversation.

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